TNWN: Rays vs. Angels — Another Series Preview; Rays to announce stadium deal Tuesday

(Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After splitting a four-game set against the Orioles, the Tampa Bay Rays return home to the friendly confines of the Trop where they will open a three-game series against the Angels on Monday. The Angels were swept by the Tigers over the weekend.

At 92-59 on the season, the Rays enter play 33 games over .500 with 11 games left to play (including six at home).

Tampa Bay was unable to gain ground on Baltimore this past weekend after splitting their four-game series, although they managed to clinch a playoff spot for the fifth consecutive season — a franchise record. They are still two games behind the Orioles in the AL East standings and will try to reduce the distance with a win over Los Angeles, which would give them their fourth win in their last six games and the series lead.

The Rays offense fell off over the last week, slashing a combined .236 BA/.287 OBP/.423 SLG/.710 OPS line with a 97 wRC+. Even so, that’s still 36% better (as it relates to wRC+) than the Angels, who’ve scored just 19 runs over the same stretch.

In short, Los Angeles isn’t playing well at the moment and they’ve lost five consecutive games. They will try to snap their losing streak with a win over the Rays, which will give them their fourth win in their last nine games.

The Rays enter play with an overall 3.77 ERA and 3.78 FIP (3.83 ERA and 3.62 FIP for the starters, 3.68 ERA, and 3.96 FIP for the relievers). Over the last seven days, Tampa Bay has put up a good 3.59 ERA and 3.64 FIP (albeit with an ugly 5.17 ERA and 4.88 FIP for the starters, but a pristine 1.11 ERA and a 1.70 FIP for the relievers).

Meanwhile, the Angels pitching staff has put up a robust 4.70 ERA and 4.61 FIP on the season (4.67 ERA and 4.70 FIP for the starters, 4.74 ERA, and 4.68 FIP for the relievers). Those numbers were even worse over the last seven days, pitching to a combined 5.07 ERA and a 4.21 FIP (5.54 ERA and a 4.41 FIP for the starters, 4.66 ERA and a 4.02 FIP for the relievers).

The Rays are 2-1 against the Angels this season with a +16 run differential.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will turn to Taj Bradley (5-7, 5.56 ERA, 4.61 FIP), Aaron Civale (7-3, 3.06 ERA, 3.46 FIP), and Zach Eflin (15-8, 3.44 ERA, 3.07 FIP). Phil Nevin will counter with Patrick Sandoval (7-13, 4.48 ERA, 4.10 FIP), a pitcher to be named before the middle game of the set, and Griffin Canning (7-7, 4.42 ERA, 4.33 FIP).

Taj Bradley allowed four runs on four hits and three walks over 4.2 innings against Minnesota. He struck out seven. Bradley cruised through the first two innings before surrendering back-to-back homers to open the third inning — each coming on the first pitch of the at-bat. He got himself into trouble again in the fifth inning after walking two of the first three batters he faced, which led to the right-hander being relieved by Jake Diekman with two outs in the frame. Bradley has now allowed four earned runs and multiple homers in back-to-back starts. All told, Bradley maintains a 5.56 ERA and a 4.61 FIP, with a 3.28 K/BB, and a 1.41 WHIP.

Patrick Sandoval allowed eight runs (five earned) on 10 hits and struck out four without walking a batter over five innings. Sandoval gave up three runs in the first inning and then five more over the fourth and fifth frames. The one positive was that Sandoval didn’t walk a batter for the first time since June 10. The southpaw now maintains a 4.48 ERA and a 4.10 FIP, with a 1.50 WHIP, and a 1.80 K/BB through 136.2 innings over 26 starts. Sandoval allowed six runs (two earned) on seven hits and three walks across 4.2 innings the last time he faced Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Osleivis Basabe (2-3, 2 2B, 2 RBI), Brandon Lowe (1-3, HR, RBI), Manuel Margot (3-5, 3B, 2 RBI, BB), Curtis Mead (1-1, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Isaac Paredes (3-5, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Harold Ramírez (2-8, RBI)

Aaron Civale allowed three runs on four hits and one walk over five innings against the Orioles. He struck out eight. After surrendering solo homers in the second and fourth innings, Civale escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the fifth, limiting the damage to just a run in the frame. He hasn’t thrown more than 5.1 innings in any of his last five turns and despite an impressive 13.1 K/9, he’s posted a 5.33 ERA across 25.1 innings over that stretch that has caused his season-long ERA to rise above 3.00 (with a 3.46 FIP) for the first time since early July.

TBA

Zach Eflin allowed one earned run on one hit and no walks while striking out eight across seven innings against the Orioles on Friday. In a pivotal series for Tampa Bay, Eflin stepped up to deliver an excellent performance, marking the third time in his last 12 starts that he’s managed to work at least seven frames. Overall, the right-hander owns a 3.44 ERA and a 3.07 FIP, with a 1.01 WHIP, and a 7.48 K/BB across 167.2 frames.

Griffin Canning yielded four runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings Friday. He struck out seven Tigers. Canning allowed a run in each of the first two frames and later coughed up solo shots to Javier Baez and Jake Rogers. Over his last three turns, Canning has posted a solid 5.67 K/BB but has gone 0-3 while allowing nine runs. He surrendered one run on two hits (including a homer) across 3.1 innings in his last outing against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Jonathan Aranda (1-1, HR, RBI), Yandy Díaz (2-7), Brandon Lowe (1-2, HR, RBI, BB), Josh Lowe (1-2), Manuel Margot (1-3)

Noteworthiness

— The Rays reinstated SS Taylor Walls from the paternity list on Monday. They also optioned RHP Chris Devenski and SS Tristan Gray to Triple-A Durham and recalled LHP Jalen Beeks.

— In case you missed it, the Rays are expected to announce a deal for a new stadium in downtown St. Petersburg on Tuesday, securing a long-term home in the Tampa Bay area.

The club has neither commented nor confirmed the deal, although they announced Monday that they, the City of St. Petersburg, and Pinellas County will make an announcement Tuesday at 10:30 am at Tropicana Field.

The new stadium will be built on the 86-acre redeveloped Tropicana Field site, also known as the Historic Gas Plant District, and serve as the team’s home ballpark beginning in 2028.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch selected the Rays and their development partner Hines as his preferred choice to redevelop the Tropicana Field site in January.

The team’s proposal featured a 30,000-seat (give or take) ballpark with a fixed roof, a turf field, operable walls, and a pavilion design. It will reportedly cost at least $1.2 billion, which will be paid through a public-private partnership between the Rays, the city of St. Petersburg, and Pinellas County. Principal owner Stuart Sternberg previously intimated that the team is expected to cover “half or more” of the stadium project. Last week, Pinellas County officials said that they were looking at chipping in $300 million in hotel tax money, with another $300 million presumably coming from the city, although it is not yet known whether there would be additional tax breaks that would put a bigger share of the cost on the public.

Renderings of the new ballpark and redeveloped Tropicana Field site in St. Petersburg proposed by Rays and Hines. (Credit: Gensler)

The stadium will be one part of a mixed-use district redevelopment plan, which also calls for affordable multi-family housing units, office space, retail space, hotel rooms, senior living residences, and an entertainment venue.

More on this to come after the presser, which you can stream via Bally Sports Sun, on Tuesday.

TNWN: Rays vs. Orioles — one last series preview

My dude! (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After taking two of three from the Twins, the Tampa Bay Rays will cap their seven-game road trip with a four-game set in Charm City, starting Thursday. Stop the presses, the Orioles dropped their first series since the middle of August, losing two of three to the Cardinals.

At 90-57 on the season, the Rays enter play a season-high-tying 33 games over .500, and just two games back of the Orioles with 15 games left to play.

Tampa Bay took advantage of Baltimore’s series loss to gain two games on the Orioles in the AL East. They are in a good spot heading into this important set wherein a series win would result in the Rays’ reclamation of first place in the division.

They will be leaning heavily on Isaac Paredes, Yandy Díaz, Harold Ramírez, Brandon Lowe, Josh Lowe, and Luke Raley, all of whom put up big wRC+ numbers over the last seven days. Rene Pinto also flexed his muscles over that stretch, swatting a pair of homers and putting up a .300 ISO. The Rays slashed a solid (albeit underperforming as compared to the Orioles…you can see their numbers below) .252 BA/.349 OBP/.451 SLG/.800 OPS line across the last seven days, with a 125 wRC+.

The Rays enter play with an overall 3.77 ERA and 3.80 FIP (3.78 ERA and 3.59 FIP for the starters, 3.77 ERA, and 4.05 FIP for the relievers). Over the last seven days, Tampa Bay has put up a very good 2.90 ERA and 3.37 FIP (4.14 ERA and 4.28 FIP for the starters, and a 0.00 ERA and a 1.28 FIP for the relievers).

Meanwhile, Baltimore’s pitching staff has put up a modest 4.06 ERA and 4.03 FIP on the season (4.41 ERA and 4.38 FIP for the starters, 3.53 ERA, and 3.50 FIP for the relievers). The pitching staff has shown signs of overuse the last seven days, pitching to a combined 4.58 ERA and a 4.26 FIP (5.90 ERA and a 4.88 FIP for the starters, 3.00 ERA and a 3.51 FIP for the relievers).

While they are just 3-6 against the Orioles this season, the Rays have played them very close and have actually put up a +2 run differential. Expect more of the same this weekend.

Pitching Probables

Over the next four days, Kevin Cash will turn to Aaron Civale (7-3, 2.96 ERA, 3.35 FIP), Zach Eflin (14-8, 3.53 ERA, 3.08 FIP), Tyler Glasnow (9-5, 3.15 ERA, 2.93 FIP), and Zack Littell (3-6, 4.25 ERA, 4.18 FIP). Brandon Hyde will counter with Kyle Bradish (11-6, 3.03 ERA, 3.40 FIP), Jack Flaherty (8-8, 4.98 ERA, 4.40 FIP), Grayson Rodriguez (5-4, 4.88 ERA, 4.33 FIP), and Dean Kremer (12-5, 4.25 ERA, 4.65 FIP).

Aaron Civale allowed four runs on four hits and three walks over five innings against the Mariners on Saturday. He struck out three. The right-hander struggled right out of the gate, loading the bases before recording any outs and surrendering three runs in the first frame followed by a solo shot from Julio Rodriguez in the second. But, Civale settled in and held Seattle scoreless over his final three innings of work. The 28-year-old hadn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his 12 starts since June 25, putting up a 5-1 record with a 2.51 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 5.17 K/BB across 68 innings during that stretch.

Kyle Bradish surrendered two runs on four hits over six innings in an 11-2 rout of the Red Sox. He struck out nine. The right-hander cruised to his fourth consecutive win and fifth straight quality start, and Bradish’s nine strikeouts were his most since June 8 when he fanned 10 Brewers. He hasn’t taken a loss since late July, posting a 5-0 record with a 2.38 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, and 4.17 K/BB through 41.2 frames since the beginning of August. Key Matchups: Randy Arozarena (3-11, 2 HR, 3 RBI, BB), Yandy Díaz (5-11, 2B, BB), Brandon Lowe (1-3, 2B), Isaac Paredes (2-5, 2B, HR, RBI, BB), Luke Raley (2-6), Harold Ramírez (4-10, 2B, 3 RBI)

Zach Eflin allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings against the Mariners on Sunday. He struck out six. Eflin wasn’t at his best — he’s now allowed three runs over five innings in each of his last two starts. However, he did enough to earn his 14th win, which is tied for fifth-most in the league. Eflin’s ERA now sits at 3.53 with a 3.08 FIP, a 1.05 WHIP, and 7.13 K/BB across 28 starts (160.2 innings) on the season.

Jack Flaherty allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits and one walk over 3.1 innings against Boston. He struck out three. The 27-year-old served up a two-run homer to Justin Turner in the first inning and coughed up two more earned runs before exiting one out in the fourth. Flaherty hasn’t completed six innings in any of his five starts since his Baltimore debut on August 3, posting an 0-2 record with an 8.73 ERA and 1.85 WHIP across 21.2 innings during that stretch. Key Matchups: Isaac Paredes (1-2), Harold Ramírez (1-2, BB)

Tyler Glasnow allowed four runs on six hits and two walks over six innings Monday, striking out eight. Glasnow gave up just one run through five frames before serving up a three-run shot to Royce Lewis in the sixth inning. Glasnow yielded just four runs over his previous three starts before Monday’s hiccup. Since the All-Star Break, he’s gone 7-2 with a stellar 5.57 K/BB and 2.53 ERA through 64 frames. Overall, he carries a 3.15 ERA and a 2.93 FIP on the season.

Grayson Rodriguez allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out six over 4.1 innings on Sunday versus the Red Sox. Rodriguez had logged five consecutive quality starts going into Sunday. It’s unclear if the right-hander was thrown off by a rain delay prior to the game, but he didn’t have his best stuff despite throwing 63 of 89 pitches for strikes (71% strike rate). For the season, he’s at a 4.88 ERA and a 4.33 FIP, with a 1.39 WHIP, and 2.82 K/BB through 103.1 innings over 20 starts. Key Matchups: Luke Raley (1-4, BB), Taylor Walls (1-2, HR, RBI)

Zack Littell allowed three runs on five hits over seven innings against the Twins. He struck out eight. After firing off eight innings of one-run baseball in his last start, Littell went seven innings against Minnesota and logged his third quality start of the season despite surrendering a pair of home runs to Willi Castro and Edouard Julien. In all fairness, Julien’s homer was on a great pitch that he golf-swung out of the park. Credit goes to the batter. Even so, over his last seven appearances (42.2 innings), Littell owns a 4.43 ERA and an 11.00 K/BB, although he has allowed a 1.9 HR/9.

Dean Kremer allowed five runs on seven hits and four walks over 4.1 innings against St. Louis. He struck out two. Kremer was removed with one out in the fifth, having allowed 11 baserunners. The five runs allowed halted a stretch where Kremer had allowed three runs or less for eight consecutive starts, accumulating a 2.35 ERA and 38 strikeouts over 46 innings. All told, he maintains a 4.25 ERA and a 4.65 FIP. Key Matchups: Randy Arozarena (3-7, 2 HR, 4 RBI), Christian Bethancourt (1-4), Vidal Brujan (2-3), Brandon Lowe (3-7, 3 BB), Josh Lowe (2-4, 2B), Luke Raley (1-3), Harold Ramírez (2-7, BB), Taylor Walls (1-4)

TNWN: Rays vs. Red Sox — another series preview

Yandy go boom! (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After a 3-2 road trip, the Tampa Bay Rays return to the friendly confines of the Trop, where they will start a three-game series against the Red Sox on Monday. The Red Sox bounced back from a blowout loss to take two of three from the Royals over the weekend.

At 83-54 on the season, the Rays enter play 29 games over .500 with 25 games left to play.

Despite two frustrating losses to start the series in Cleveland, the Rays offense stepped up to the challenge in a winnable series, putting up 15 runs (and averaging five runs per game) against a solid Guardians’ pitching staff. Over the last week, Tampa Bay has slashed .265 BA/.332 OBP/.414 SLG/.746 OPS with a 110 wRC+.

Even though they were downed 13-2 in the series opener against the Royals, the Red Sox put up 18 total runs over the weekend. Be that as it may, Boston has slashed a meager .238 BA/.315 OBP/.395 SLG/.710 OPS over the last seven days, with a sub-average 90 wRC+.

The Rays enter play with an overall 3.81 ERA and 3.82 FIP (3.75 ERA and 3.56 FIP for the starters, 3.89 ERA, and 4.13 FIP for the relievers). Over the last seven days, Tampa Bay has put up an improved 2.31 ERA and 2.57 FIP (3.21 ERA and 3.19 FIP for the starters, and a 0.96 ERA and a 1.65 FIP for the relievers).

Meanwhile, Boston’s pitching staff has performed to an overall 4.53 ERA and 4.43 FIP (4.74 ERA and 4.65 FIP for the starters, 4.30 ERA, and 4.17 FIP for the relievers). The pitching staff has been, frankly, awful over the last seven days, pitching to a combined 7.81 ERA and a 5.75 FIP (8.10 ERA and a 6.09 FIP for the starters, 7.58 ERA and a 5.48 FIP for the relievers).

The Rays are 7-1 against the Red Sox this season with a +20 run differential.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will turn to Aaron Civale (7-3, 2.64 ERA, 3.32 FIP), Zach Eflin (13-8, 3.40 ERA, 3.07 FIP), and Tyler Glasnow (7-5, 3.17 ERA, 2.98 FIP). Alex Cora will counter with Brayan Bello (10-8, 3.57 ERA, 4.46 FIP), Kutter Crawford (6-7, 4.08 ERA, 4.07 FIP), and James Paxton (7-5, 4.50 ERA, 4.69 FIP).

Aaron Civale allowed two runs on seven hits over five innings against Miami. He struck out five without issuing a walk. Civale found himself in a bases-loaded jam in the first inning but managed to escape the frame, limiting the damage to just a run. He also gave up a solo homer to Jazz Chisholm in the third inning and would eventually exit the game down 2-1 after five. In his nine second-half starts, the right-hander now owns a 2.72 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 4.88 K/BB across 49.2 frames.

Brayan Bello allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Astros. He struck out two. After allowing just two runs over his previous two starts, Bello found himself in a two-run hole after surrendering back-to-back homers to Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez in the first inning. Bello rebounded with three scoreless frames before the Astros added an unearned run in the fifth. Overall, the right-hander sports a 3.57 ERA and a 4.46 FIP, with a 1.28 WHIP, and a 2.94 K/BB across 23 starts (131 innings) on the season. Bello gave up three runs on six hits and a walk against Tampa Bay the last time he took the mound versus the Rays. Key Matchups: Jonathan Aranda (2-2, RBI), Randy Arozarena (1-4, 2B, 2 RBI, BB), Yandy Díaz (5-7, 2 2B, RBI, BB), Josh Lowe (2-8, 2B, 3 RBI), Luke Raley (1-4, 2B, BB)

Zach Eflin pitched 6.1 scoreless innings against Miami on Wednesday, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out four batters. Eflin prevented the Marlins from putting on more than one baserunner in any frame. The right-hander notched his third straight quality start and was very efficient with just 69 pitches over 6.1 frames. Eflin lowered his season ERA to 3.40 (with a 3.07 FIP) thanks to the outing, and he’s already set a career-high with 13 wins. He’s bounced back well from a three-inning, six-run dud against Cleveland on August 13, posting a 1.47 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and a 9.5 K/BB over 18.1 frames over his subsequent three starts.

Kutter Crawford surrendered six runs on seven hits and a walk over 2.2 innings against the Astros. He struck out only one. After a calm 1-2-3 first inning, Crawford quickly fell apart and got the hook after 46 pitches. The right-hander hadn’t given up more than three runs in a start since July 21, but the sour ending to August leaves him with a 4.73 ERA and a 5.09 FIP on the month despite a 1.28 WHIP, and 3.25 K/BB through 26.2 innings. Crawford is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA in one start against the Rays this season. Key Matchups: Jonathan Aranda (2-3, 2B), Christian Bethancourt (1-3), Brandon Lowe (1-4, HR, RBI)

Tyler Glasnow allowed three runs on seven hits over seven innings Friday against the Guardians. He struck out six. Glasnow gave up one run through six innings before coughing up a pair in the seventh. He’s given up eight earned runs over his last 19 innings, raising his season ERA from 3.01 to 3.17 (but a 2.98 FIP) in the process. However, he owns a 2.50 ERA across 68.1 innings in his last 11 turns. Glasnow carries a 4.44 K/BB on the season.

James Paxton allowed six runs on five hits and two walks over 1.1 innings against the Royals on Friday. Paxton gave up a pair of solo home runs in the first inning before the Royals tagged him for four more runs in the second. He’s thrown just 9.2 total innings while allowing 16 earned runs over his last three starts, and his season ERA has jumped from 3.34 to 4.50, with an unsightly 4.69 FIP, over that stretch. Paxton relies primarily on a 95 mph fourseam fastball that has some natural sinking action, while also mixing in an 81 mph 12-6 knuckle curve, a hard 86 mph 12-6 slider, and an 85 mph swing-and-miss changeup. Key Matchups: Yandy Díaz (4-11, 2B), Brandon Lowe (1-2, HR, RBI)

Noteworthiness

— Perhaps it’s sheer laziness on our behalf, but we didn’t make mention of the most recent Tampa Bay Rays roster transactions. RHP Jason Adam (oblique) was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to August 31, 2023. He doesn’t anticipate staying on the IL much longer than the minimum. RHP Taj Bradley was recalled from the Durham Bulls and started Sunday’s contest against the Guardians. Recently acquired RHP Chris Devenski was activated from the bereavement list. Left-hander Jalen Beeks was optioned back to Triple-A, and RHP Kevin Kelly was activated from the IL.

TNWN: Rays vs. Guardians — a series preview, part deux

Just Isaac Paredes doing Isaac Paredes things. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After sweeping the Marlins in Miami, and winning eight of the last 10 games, the Tampa Bay Rays make their way to Cleveland, where they start a three-game series against the Guardians on Friday. The Guardians most recently took two of three from the Twins.

At 82-52 on the season, the Rays enter play a season-high 30 games over .500 with 28 games left to play. The Guardians enter play at 64-70, barely holding onto their slim, 7.6% chance of a postseason berth.

It was a tale of two games in Miami. In the first game of the series, the Rays pounded out 11 runs and defeated the Marlins 11-2. Then, in the second contest, Tampa Bay blanked Miami and scratched out three runs in the tenth inning. All told, the Rays averaged seven runs per game against the Marlins and didn’t allow any two-out runs. Over the last seven days, they continued to put up above-average numbers, slashing .275 BA/.345 OBP/.475 SLG/.820 OPS with a .200 ISO and a 130 wRC+.

Meanwhile, the Guardians have won consecutive series, although they are 5-5 in their last 10 games. Surprisingly, for a team that doesn’t hit many homers, they’ve put up a .431 SLG and a .198 ISO over the last seven days. On top of that, for a team that doesn’t strike out that much, Cleveland has struck out at a higher rate than the Rays over that stretch. Go figure.

The Rays enter play with an overall 3.83 ERA and 3.86 FIP (3.73 ERA and 3.57 FIP for the starters, 3.94 ERA, and 4.20 FIP for the relievers). Over the last seven days, Tampa Bay has put up an improved 2.45 ERA and 3.50 FIP (2.30 ERA and 3.90 FIP for the starters, and a 2.66 ERA and a 2.97 FIP for the relievers).

Meanwhile, Cleveland’s pitching staff has performed to an overall 3.85 ERA and 4.18 FIP (4.10 ERA and 4.19 FIP for the starters, 3.48 ERA, and 4.02 FIP for the relievers). The pitching staff has regressed over the last seven days, pitching to a combined 5.20 ERA and a 5.99 FIP (7.94 ERA and a 6.65 FIP for the starters, 3.03 ERA and a 4.75 FIP for the relievers).

The Rays are 2-1 against the Guardians this season with a +5 run differential.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will turn to Tyler Glasnow (7-4, 3.12 ERA, 3.10 FIP), Zack Littell (3-4, 4.20 ERA, 4.16 FIP), and Aaron Civale (7-3, 2.64 ERA, 3.32 FIP). Terry Francona will counter with Cal Quantrill (2-6, 6.45 ERA, 4.89 FIP), Logan Allen (6-7, 3.80 ERA, 4.11 FIP), and Xzavion Curry (3-3, 4.10 ERA, 4.27 FIP).

Tyler Glasnow allowed one hit and two walks over six scoreless innings against the Yankees. He struck out four. The only hit Glasnow allowed was a sixth-inning single, as the right-hander needed just 85 pitches to secure a quality start and win. He now owns a 5-1 record in seven starts since the All-Star break, posting a 2.20 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 4.55 K/BB across 45 innings during that stretch.

Cal Quantrill (shoulder) looked sharp in his fourth and final rehab start Saturday when he struck out six and allowed two runs on five hits and no walks over 7.1 innings. He tossed 89 pitches in the outing. Overall, Quantrill maintains a 6.45 ERA and a 4.89 FIP, with a 1.57 WHIP, and a 1.72 K/BB on the season. He relies primarily on a 94 mph sinker and an 88 mph cutter that has some natural sink and strong cutting action, while also mixing in a 94 mph fourseam fastball that has slight arm-side run, an 83 mph 12-6 curveball, an 86 mph changeup that has some natural sink to it, and an 87 mph worm-killer splitter.

Zack Littell allowed four runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four across six innings against the Yankees. Littell was punished by the long ball in Sunday’s outing, surrendering back-to-back homers in the third inning and then a two-run shot to Anthony Volpe in the fourth to allow the Yankees to go up 4-2. Yet, Tampa Bay scored four timely runs in the sixth inning to take the lead back and put Littell in line for the win. He’s surrendered a home run in each of his last four starts but has been surprisingly effective as a starter considering he’s spent his career as a reliever up until his current stint with the Rays. In six starts, Littell now maintains a 3.97 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and an 8.33 K/BB in 34 innings.

Logan Allen coughed up five runs on six hits and a walk over four innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out two. The rookie southpaw got staked to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning thanks to a Jose Ramirez solo homer, but immediately squandered it. It’s the first time Allen hasn’t lasted at least five innings since late June, and despite Saturday’s stumble, he sports a 3.80 ERA and a 4.11 FIP, with a 1.22 WHIP, and a 2.29 K/BB through 45 innings since the All-Star Break. Allen relies primarily on a 92 mph fourseam fastball, a 79 mph slider that sweeps across the zone and has two-plane movement, and an 83 mph worm-killer changeup, while also mixing in an 86 mph cutter that has heavy sink and has sweeping cut action.

Aaron Civale allowed two runs on seven hits over five innings against Miami. He struck out five without issuing a walk. Civale found himself in a bases-loaded jam in the first inning but managed to escape the frame, limiting the damage to just a run. He also gave up a solo homer to Jazz Chisholm in the third inning and would eventually exit the game down 2-1 after five. In his nine second-half starts, the right-hander now owns a 2.72 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 4.88 K/BB across 49.2 frames.

Xzavion Curry allowed six runs on six hits and a walk over two innings Monday, striking out two. Curry surrendered all six runs during a brutal second inning highlighted by Royce Lewis’ grand slam. Over his last four turns, Curry has been tagged with 15 runs in 15 innings, driving his season ERA to 4.10 (with a 4.27 FIP) through 79 frames. Key Matchups: Randy Arozarena (1-3, 2B), Yandy Díaz (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI), Josh Lowe (1-2), Isaac Paredes (1-3, HR, 2 RBI).

TNWN: Rays vs Marlins — a series preview, part deux

Randy broke the Yankees on this play. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After taking two of three from the Yankees, and apparently breaking every fan donning a NY hat along the way, the Tampa Bay Rays head to Miami, where they will start a brief, two-game set against the Marlins on Tuesday. The Marlins most recently dropped two of three to the Nationals.

At 80-52 on the season, the Rays enter play 28 games above .500 with 30 left to play. Meanwhile, the Marlins enter play one game over .500 and 2.5 games back in the NL Wildcard chase.

Tampa Bay has won eight of the last ten contests, keeping within 2.5 games of the Orioles. It’s one of only four teams with 80 wins on the season. Thanks to a 15-8 month of August — in which the team slashed a combined .282 BA/.348 OBP/.449 SLG/.797 SLG line with a 125 wRC+ — the Rays have all but rinsed the bitter taste of a shitty month of July out of their mouths. They are one game shy of matching the high-water mark of 29 games over .500, and are primed to pounce should the Orioles falter.

And while Tampa Bay has started to come back to earth (as compared to the last couple of weeks) offensively speaking, they still put up 12 runs on the Yankees, thanks in part to a .304 wRISP batting average over the life of that series, and are slashing an above average .275 BA/.345 OBP/.445 SLG/.790 OPS over the last seven days, with a 123 wRC+ and a 4.5 wRAA.

The Marlins have won just six of their last 15 games, and three of their last seven, as they cling to the slimmest of hopes for their second postseason berth in four years. Over the last week, Miami has put up an ice-cold 64 wRC+ thanks to a combined .210 BA/.269 OBP/.333 SLG/.632 OPS slash line. They are averaging under two runs per game over that stretch, which is about 2.5 fewer runs, per game, than their season average of 4.02.

The Rays enter play with an overall 3.87 ERA and 3.89 FIP (3.77 ERA and 3.59 FIP for the starters, 3.99 ERA, and 4.23 FIP for the relievers). Over the last seven days, Tampa Bay has put up an improved 3.60 ERA and 3.56 FIP (3.86 ERA and 4.16 FIP for the starters, and a 3.28 ERA and a 2.83 FIP for the relievers).

Meanwhile, Miami’s pitching staff has performed to an overall 4.15 ERA and 4.05 FIP (4.19 ERA and 4.14 FIP for the starters, 4.09 ERA, and 3.93 FIP for the relievers). The pitching staff has been the only bright spot the last seven days, pitching to a combined 2.66 ERA and a 2.89 FIP (2.45 ERA and a 3.35 FIP for the starters, 2.95 ERA and a 2.44 FIP for the relievers).

The Rays are 1-1 against the Marlins this season with a -3 run differential.

Pitching Probables

Over the next couple of days, Kevin Cash will call on Aaron Civale (6-3, 2.59 ERA, 3.30 FIP) and Zach Eflin (13-8, 3.55 ERA, 3.13 FIP). Skip Schumaker will counter with Sandy Alcantara (6-11, 4.16 ERA, 4.03 FIP) and Jesús Luzardo (9-8, 3.77 ERA, 3.83 FIP).

Aaron Civale gave up three runs on four hits over five-plus innings against the Yankees. He struck out nine without walking a batter. It was Civale’s most dominant performance since joining the Rays at the deadline, as he generated an eye-popping 35 called or swinging strikes on only 80 pitches. Civale has a 3.54 ERA and a 2.39 FIP, with a 1.33 WHIP, and a 10.00 K/BB through 20.1 innings in August.

Sandy Alcantara gave up four runs on seven hits and three walks over 6.2 innings as the Marlins against the Padres. He struck out three. Last season’s NL Cy Young Award winner didn’t have his best stuff, managing only eight whiffs on 105 pitches. The right-hander sports a 4.16 ERA and a 4.03 FIP in the second half, with a 1.19 WHIP and 3.27 K/BB. Alcantara allowed just one run on five scattered hits and a walk in a complete game start against the Rays in July. Key Matchups: Brandon Lowe (5-12, 3 2B, RBI, 2 BB), Josh Lowe (1-3, 2B), Luke Raley (1-3, BB), Harold Ramírez (1-3), José Siri (1-3)

Zach Eflin took a hard-luck loss Friday, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk over six frames versus the Yankees. He struck out 11. Eflin matched counterpart Gerrit Cole with a season-high 11 punchouts, but he exited with Tampa Bay down a run. It was the right-hander’s second double-digit strikeout game of the season after he fanned 10 Pirates back in early May. All told, Eflin boasts a 3.55 ERA and a 3.13 FIP, with a 1.04 WHIP, and a 7.35 K/BB on the season.

Jesús Luzardo allowed two hits and a walk while striking out seven over six shutout innings on Tuesday against the Padres. Luzardo was locked in, a significant departure from his last four starts in which he allowed a combined 21 runs (20 earned) over just 17 innings. This was his fifth scoreless start of the season and his first since July 4. He’s now at a 3.77 ERA and a 3.86 FIP, with a 1.26 WHIP, and a 3.98 K/BB through 143.1 innings over 26 starts. Luzardo relies primarily on a 97 mph fourseam fastball that has some natural sinking action and slight arm-side run, a whiffy 85 mph 12-6 slider, and a hard 88 mph changeup that has slight arm-side fade and some natural sink to it, while also mixing in a whiffy 97 mph sinker. Key Matchups: Randy Arozarena (1-4, BB), Yandy Díaz (3-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI), Harold Ramírez (1-3, RBI), José Siri (2-2, 2B, RBI)